Background: Companies operating in the low-cost offshore locations are increasingly challenged with various critical issues more recently that have directed their attention towards re-evaluating offshore strategies and considering reshoring. Rising labour costs, labour shortage and high labour fluctuation in offshore locations continues to create substantial risks and disturbances to the business and supply chain. These difficulties, especially in the light of higher labour productivity levels of developed countries and prospects of automation and robotisation, has persuaded many to believe this trend would encourage reshoring and enable companies to see manufacturing in developed countries cost effective once again. However, studies in reshoring are scarce, very little is known about labour or automation and especially how the two interrelates. Purpose: This thesis aims to explore the concepts of labour and automation and their interrelations in reshoring. Method: This research has adopted case study approach. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with a total of 6 companies from various countries, situated in both high and lowcost environments with reshoring intention or previous reshoring experiences. Transaction cost economics and the resource-based view have been applied in analysing the findings. Findings: This study has identified twelve labour factors and five automation factors in reshoring. The empirical findings showed labour cost as well as labour availability important in the decision of two companies. This study did not find empirical evidence to suggest automation as a significant reshoring motivating factor. Reviewing the literature also did not yield sufficient reliable evidence in support of automation. Labour and automation interrelations in reshoring have also been discussed as well as elucidating some considerations in applying automation in manufacturing.

Relationship management plays a critical role in sustainable supply chain management (SCM). The literature focuses on the operational and strategic levels of inter-organisational relationships in supply chains, where little is known about the psychological aspect of these relationships. Adopting social identity theory as the key theoretical lens, this research investigates inter-organisational relationships in the context of sustainability implementation in supply chains. Two research questions are asked: RQ1 How do focal organisations engage their supply chain stakeholders in sustainable SCM using social identity thinking? RQ2 What are the specific identity issues relating to inter-organisational relationships in a sustainability context? This research adopts an exploratory case approach and combines multiple data sources: semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and secondary data analysis. Three case studies are conducted in three international organisations and their suppliers in a global setting. The research findings reveal that organisations face the challenge of managing multiple identities during their sustainability implementation in supply chains. Subject to their operational context and supply chain characteristics, organisations may have different approaches to sustainability implementation. Sustainability identity is associated with internal stakeholders’ motivation and proactivity when contacting external stakeholders, as well as external stakeholders’ commitment to cooperation and information sharing in sustainable supply. Analysis of the 41 interviews reveals that both the internal and external stakeholders play an important role in identity formation through various identity assessment and comparison activities. The key identity issues observed during sustainable supply practices include identity conflicts, inconsistencies, and disagreements among the stakeholders. The current SCM literature focuses on supply chains as one uniform identity. A major contribution of this research is that it addresses the complexity of identity issues in supply chains, especially in the context of sustainability implementation. It also contributes to theory by defining a typology of focal organisations’ identity regulation approaches.

Surprisingly, clean mains water has only been universally available to the population of Oxfordshire since the second half of the 20th century. This thesis explores the different methods by which water was obtained between the end of the medieval period and the establishment of the contemporary water companies; it shows how archaeological remains can inform understanding of how different groups lived and interacted during that period. It attempts for the first time to catalogue water supply features within the county, having 910 entries to date. Patterns emerging from the data have been used to suggest themes for further study. Statistics and GIS mapping have demonstrated that the availability and quality of water, including the incidence of early holy and healing wells, are dominated firstly by geology and then by differences between the social classes and between urban and rural areas. Themes explored include the relationship between water and disease, whether water supplies differ between ‘open’ and ‘closed’ parishes, the evolution of holy wells into spas, water in leisure activities, its association with memorials and changing attitudes to hygiene. The thesis also examines the various designation systems in place for protecting historic monuments, the level of recording of water features on local and national lists of monuments and how appropriate this framework is for helping the conservation of a valuable resource.

Non-contact ignition of TIG welding arcs has been studied. The variation of dc voltage with dc current of combined acdc discharges indicated that an ac-dominated discharge, a dc-dominated discharge and a transition region exist during the initial current rise after breakdown from cold. These measurements enabled the conditions for reliable ignition of dc arcs using a continuous sinusoidal hf source to be predicted. The minimum current to sustain a cold arc and the time taken to reach the steady-state were investigated using a novel capacitor discharge supply. The results showed that to initiate a3 mm TIG welding arc from cold supplied by a power supply with an open circuit voltage of 80 V, a minimum current of about 0.9 A may be required and the time taken for the arc to reach the steady-state may take several hundred milliseconds. The results of investigations on combined ac-dc discharges, minimum current to sustain a cold arc and the time taken to reach the steady-state indicated that for safe, interference-free and reliable non-contact arc ignition, a continuous sinusoidal hf supply was the best method. A high voltage (about 3 kV) and high current (about 1 A) were required simultaneously to initiate a3 mm TIG arc from cold. A single continuous sinusoidal hf supply required an ignition power of the order of 1.35 kW which was not feasible. An arc ignition method using two continuous sinusoidal hf supplies has been devised which provides safe, interference-free and reliable arc ignition, and which requires less than 75% of the output power of a single continuous sinusoidal hf system. A solid-state hf ignition system based on the new method was designed and constructed.

The thesis itself proceeds according to the following outline. Chapter One is concerned with the neoclassical theory of the labour market. Three particular models are surveyed all of which attempt to explain wage differentials and labour adjustments within a competitive equilibrium framework. The basic model of the labour market which rests upon the marginal productivity theory of labour demand, the utility-maximising approach to labour supply and the competitive theory of market equilibrium is dealt with first.This is followed by an outline of human capital theory which emphasises the crucial role played by education and training in determining individual earnings . Finally, attention is focused on disequilibrium wage models of adjustment which account for wage dispersion in terms of the amount and quality of information available to transactors in the labour market.(Introduction, p. 3-4)

Lesotho is experiencing a problem of seasonal bloody diarrhoea outbreaks that occur in the southern districts of the country. Usually large proportions of the meagre resources are used to combat such outbreaks. Measures have been taken to provide water and improve sanitation for the commonly affected communities. However, the problem has continued unabated. There was therefore, a need to isolate factors that are associated with the transmission of bloody diarrhoea among the communities in the Moriti, Holy Cross, Liphiring and Mohalinyane health centres where bloody diarrhoea is prevalent. In this study, 145 cases of bloody diarrhoea and 269 controls were selected from the four health centres. Cases and controls were selected from subjects who were seen in the health centres during the period of December 2002 to February 2003. All available cases were selected whereas controls were selected by systematic sampling. The study examined environmental factors such as water source, waste and refuse disposal and hygiene practices. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of several exposures on bloody diarrhoea. The model showed maintenance of the boreholes to be the most important variable. The Odds ratio among people who experienced unavailability of water was 3.88 greater, among children who do not wash hands the odds ratio was 4.66 higher. Among subjects who ate bread in January the Odds ratio was 1.45 more and among subjects who had someone with bloody diarrhoea in the household the Odds ratio was 2.60 greater. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) / MSc / Unrestricted

The thesis "Supply Chain Management in Furniture Retail Industry" tries to determine the current status of an integrated supply chain management in the furniture industry. The importance of the supply chain in the modern economy is discussed as well as the difficult economical conditions for furniture dealers, with consumers spending more on cellphones, the national lottery and transport. The importance of the supply chain as a vehicle to optimize shareholder funds is stressed. The literature study sets out to prove that as a result of the new paradigm that exists within the organisational system, that the supply chain system needs new ideas, thought process and structures to ensure that the full potential is realised. In order to maximise returns from the supply chain business process, re-engineering and design will have to take place. Organisations must be willing and able to radically re- think and re-design the existing process. A paradigm shift is absolutely essential to obtain the maximum returns for the organisation. Certain pre-designed supply chain models are discussed and advantages and disadvantages are analysed. The models are the, the Growth Model, the Supply Chain Management Systems Framework, the Semantic Model for Internet Supply Chain Collaboration and the Supply Chain Operations Model. The models differ in their approaches and is an effort to expose the reader to current best practises in integrated supply chain management. Thirdly, key factors for supply chain success are discussed. Research has shown that if organisations fail to meet certain basic requirements, any attempts at influencing or improving the process are doomed. Internal excellence is a basic requirement followed by external integration and excellence. Two other important issues are supplier relationships, and the critical importance of information technology in assisting organisations to obtain supremacy. The literature study ends with the discussion of a financial model for measuring the success of supply chain interventions. The final word in any change process is financial. If Economic Value is not added, then the process can be seen as a failure. Chapter Three discusses the methodology that was followed in conducting the research. Chapter four analysis the findings and make certain recommendations for the furniture industry in South Africa that will assist in improving supply chain management. / Thesis (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Graduate School of Management / unrestricted

The search for alternative energy sources has increased interests in forest biomass. During the last few years, the sever infestation of the Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) within the Interior BC forests has led to huge volumes of dead wood that exceed the capacity of the lumber industry. One way to make the most value of the surplus wood is to use it as the feedstock for bioenergy. The forest biomass can be supplied through conventional (roadside residuals), full-tree chipping, or satellite yard systems. This thesis presents the development of a simulation model of supply logistics of forest biomass and its application to a case of supplying MPB-killed biomass from Quesnel Timber Supply Area (one of the most infested areas in the Interior BC) to a potential 300 MW power plant adjacent to the city of Quesnel. The model has the ability of providing estimates of quantity, delivery cost, and moisture content of biomass which are critical in feasibility study of any bioenergy project. The results obtained from simulation model showed a delivery cost of C$45 per oven dry tonne of wood chips to the power plant. The results also revealed that the feedstock recovered from roadside residues in one year meets about 30% of the annual demand of the power plant. Potential increase in the Allowable Annual Cut (AAC) for Quesnel TSA increases the quantity of biomass supplied from roadside residuals. However, as long as the biomass is supplied only through conventional harvesting, increasing the AAC even by 40% does not provide enough feedstock to meet the annual demand of the plant. Using the simulation modeling, this research has the benefit of considering the logistics of forest biomass supply as an integrated and interacting system as well as providing different critical parameters over time. The model also has the potential of considering dynamic and random behavior of the logistics system of supplying forest biomass. The model can be modified and applied to similar cases of conventional forest biomass supply. It also can be extended to other harvesting systems including satellite yard and whole-tree chipping. / Forestry, Faculty of / Graduate

The purpose of this study was to develop and empirically test the Supply Chain Integration Framework (SCI framework) in order to develop a framework to address the inefficiencies experienced in the public hospital pharmacies’ Supply Chain (SC) in Kenya. Supply Chain Management (SCM) can be regarded as a vibrant business entity that is changing and evolving continually because of constant changes in technology, competition and customer demands. The study investigated and analysed how the independent variables, namely SCI initiatives, performance improvement drivers, organisation environmental forces, workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, regulatory framework and information sharing and technology influenced the SCI. The SCI was categorised into three components namely: customer order fulfilment, supplier collaboration and dedicated SC as the dependent variable. The literature reviewed established that globalisation and intensive worldwide competition, alongside technological developments, creates a completely new operating environment for organisations. The researcher reviewed various models and theories related to SCI which include systems theory, value chain models and value ecology models among others. An SCI framework was then developed to capture the interacting variables within the SCI network that could be adopted for the public hospital pharmacies in Kenya. The study was conducted using a survey questionnaire (Annexure B) that comprised both open and closed ended questions that were distributed to managers in public hospitals and pharmacies in Kenya. The population for the survey was 154 public hospital pharmacies in Kenya, with the final sample comprised of 280 respondents. The study was conducted using a survey questionnaire (Annexure B) that comprised both open and closed ended questions that were distributed to 325 respondents in 154 public hospitals and pharmacies in Kenya. The population for the survey was 154 public hospital pharmacies in Kenya, with the final sample comprised of 280 respondents. Exploratory factor analysis was used to ascertain the validity of the measuring instrument and the Cronbach alpha coefficients were used to measure the reliability of the measuring instruments. Key preliminary tests performed were the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test (KMO test) of sample adequacy, the Bartlett’s test of sphericity and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (Z-Statistic test) for normality and multi-collinearity diagnostic. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regressions were the main statistical procedures used to test the regression model fit and the significance of the relationships hypothesised among various variables in the study. Statistical softwares, namely Statistica 10 (2010) and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 18, were used to analyse quantitative data. The study identified five statistically significant relationships between customer order fulfilment and workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, information sharing and technology, supplier collaborations and dedicated SCI. In addition, a total of six statistically significant relationships exist between the supplier collaborations and SCI initiatives i.e. performance improvement drivers, workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, information sharing and technology adoption as well as dedicated SCI. Furthermore, four statistically significant relationships were found between dedicated SCI and SCI initiatives, workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, information sharing and technology adoption.

This thesis presents a further study on Dai and Zhang’s (2008) supply networks, which are Cost Saver, Adapter, and Multiple Driven. This concept is centred on hub or focal firm which is the core of the supply networks, built on Miles and Snow’s (2003) strategic typology. In Cost Saver supply network, the hub firm is ‘Defender’; for Adapter supply network it is ‘Prospector’, while in Multiple Driven supply network it is ‘Analyser’. This study explores the interrelationship between the hub and supplier’s configuration and its effect on organisational performance. A comprehensive literature review is carried out with reference to supply chain (SC), supply network (SN) and supply network management (SNM). It stretches to describing Dai and Zhang’s (2008) novel supply networks, its association with Miles and Snow’s theory, the supply network configuration concept, and further expatiates on the need for appropriate supplier configuration for improved performances within the supply networks. The key performance indicators (KPI) adopted for this work, the variables considered in the simulation modelling were evaluated. Usable data were collected from a sample of 630 suppliers, and 15 hub firms. This is accompanied by Hypotheses testing, Case study and Simulation experiments to fulfil the aims and objectives of this research. From the findings of this study, it is confirmed that organisations can be grouped as either the Defender, Prospector, Analyser or Reactor type according to the Miles and Snow typology. The investigation identified that for Multiple Driven, Adapter and Cost Saver supply networks, performances are most improved with an increase in the existence of suppliers of the same typology with the hub organisation within the supply network.